Make sure Fido has a fresh place to lay his head. To clean a pet bed, take it outside and shake out, then wash by itself — with nothing else in the washer — in the highest water level, and use a second rinse. Do not use fabric softener. Put in the dryer to fluff.

Dog or cat food and water bowls need a good cleaning, too. If the water bowl has a hard-water buildup, heat household vinegar and pour into the bowl, and it will bubble away the mineral deposits. Then rinse well. For food bowls, if there is a bad buildup, use a kitchen scrub brush (or scrub with salt on a sponge, which has similar abrasive qualities). Be sure to rinse well and dry. For Cabbie, our miniature schnauzer, we put a plastic doggie placemat under her water bowl and food dish to catch drips and crumbs.